Aboh Mbaise

Imo State is one of the 36 States of Nigeria, located in the southeast region of the country. Formed in 1976 when it split from the former East-Central State, Imo State is bordered by Abia State on the east, Delta State to the West, Anambra State on the north, and Rivers State to the south. The state capital, Owerri, is often described as the entertainment capital of Nigeria.

Imo State is a predominantly Igbo speaking state, with Igbo people constituting an estimated 98% of the state population. During the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), the present day borders of Imo State were part of the Republic of Biafra, a secessionist state formed by Igbo nationalists.

Ranked 34th out of 36 states in area, Imo State occupies the area between the lower River Niger and the upper and middle Imo River. The state economy is highly dependent on agricultural production, especially the production of palm oil, which a majority of citizens rely on for cooking.

Natural resources

The state has several natural resources including crude oil, natural gas, lead, Calcium Carbonate, solar and wind power, zinc.

Profitable flora including iroko, mahogany, obeche, bamboo, rubber tree and oil palm. Additionally white clay, fine sand and limestone are found in the state.

Oil and gas exploration

There are over 163 oil wells at over 12 different locations in the state. The main petroleum companies operating in the state are Addax Petroleum, Chevron Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell and Agip. Some of the established oil-rich local government councils include Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Oru East, Iho, Oru West, Obowo and Ngor Okpala.

Investment opportunities

Many investment opportunities exist in the state including oil and gas exploration, chemical plants, brewery plants, hydroelectric plants, gas-fired power plants, grain mills, starch production, cashews, fruit and vegetable juice concentrate production, integrated multi-oil seed processing plants, ceramics, inland waterway transport, and palm produce industry.

Independent global brewer Heineken, through its subsidiary Nigerian Breweries, has significant investment in Imo State. The company manages the world-class Awo-omamma Brewery, a multiple-line plant.

Many more oil and gas opportunities are yet to be developed. The federal government has been called to inspect newly discovered oil-rich areas which might help foster economic development and job creation.

Industrial parks and processing zones to harness the huge agricultural produce and minerals would give a major boost to the state's economic growth and industrialization.

Oguta Lake, Palm Beach Holiday Resort in Awo-omamma , and a host of other tourist sites along the banks of the 26 km-length Njaba River present hotspots for tourism.

Institutions of higher learning

There are several institutions of higher learning including state and federal government run institutions such as:

• Eastern Palm University, Ogboko, Ideato
• Federal Polytechnic, Nekede
• Federal University of Technology Owerri
• Hezekiah University, Umudi
• Imo State University
• Imo State Polytechnic
• Alvan Ikoku College of Education

Courtesy of Wikipedia.